World Cup 2018

[Deleted member 16999]

People may expect more from Sterling and I would say right now what’s missing is a goal but for someone to say he was anonymous is complete nonsense- everything else in his game he is doing well , especially his movement, they were saying on the radio that Kane is loving playing with Sterling because his movement is creating so much space for Kane to use - yep he needs a goal to silence critics but right now he is doing well and there is no guarantee that replacing him with Rashford or Vardy you will get an improvement.

They also said that right now both are perfect coming of the bench to take advantage of tired defenders.

I expect Southgate to keep the team set up the way it is as it’s producing the best performances of the tournament so far

Yep, totally agree, plus comments about him mis-controlling one ball, but no mention of the breakdown in communication that led to the Panama goal.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

The reason Southgate is in the job is he’s the best man for it. Do I support him? Absolutely! But that doesn’t mean I agree with everything he’s done. Would I shout from the rooftops in support of England when they’re on the pitch, even with Sterling on the pitch? Absolutely!

But after the game I’ll call it as I see it. I expect more from Sterling, or at least on a par with what he’s done for England in the past. He’s not delivering that, or even close to that.

I’ll argue the toss in the boardroom but when they’re out on the pitch ALL of the team has my support.

I’m not questioning yours or anyones loyalty, I’ll admit I didn’t want or rate Southgate for the job after his failure as a club manager, happy he’s proving me wrong.
I just don’t get the negativity to Sterling after yesterday, as posted previously I’m more worried about the defensive errors for the 2 goals we’ve conceded, Walker was clueless for the first and no one commanding the back line yesterday.

 

[Kellfire]

As a non-Englishman, I've come to have so much respect and admiration for Southgate - the way he carries himself, what he's set about doing methodically over the past couple of years, the balance of experience and youth and his efforts to play good football. I genuinely think England have a good future with Southgate at the helm, even if England go out of this WC early.

 

[Beezerk]

Yep, totally agree, plus comments about him mis-controlling one ball, but no mention of the breakdown in communication that led to the Panama goal.

I think it’s already been widely accepted that England’s defence is average at best, Sterling though is being carried in this current team imo. He makes a few decent tippety tappety passes but apart from that he’s done nothing.
I’m still unsure about that Loftus-Cheek fella as well, looks good on the ball but doesn’t seem to be very dynamic. A bit like Zidane with a tranquilising dart stuck in his neck 😂

 

[Orikoru]

I think it’s already been widely accepted that England’s defence is average at best, Sterling though is being carried in this current team imo. He makes a few decent tippety tappety passes but apart from that he’s done nothing.
I’m still unsure about that Loftus-Cheek fella as well, looks good on the ball but doesn’t seem to be very dynamic. A bit like Zidane with a tranquilising dart stuck in his neck 

Yeah, this. We knew we had a ropey defence going into the tournament, so leaking goals is to be expected. With Sterling though, he's come off the back of a great season so we were hoping to see some of that in the England side, and it hasn't arrived.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Fair comments.
I agree with you on Sterling, the player that went from Liverpool to City for big bucks does not seem the same player we see these days. I think he is carried at Man City, be interesting to see what Guardiola does over the summer transfer-wise.
I'd be looking for Sterling (with his skills) to do what Arjen Robben used to do, drive at defences and chip in a few goals himself. Frustrating watching him and I'm not even an England fan. Seems to run into trouble, miss sitters or make the wrong short pass choice over and over.

Is everyone getting a bit carried away too? They've played Tunisia and Panama, struggling to get the win in game 1 too. 2014 was immensely harder playing Italy and Uruguay, can't compare like with like and unfair on the 2014/2016 squads and Roy to do that. The Kane 'taking corners' things keep coming up a veiled criticism of Hodgson but Hodgson is every bit as and arguably more of a coach/tactician than Southgate so would have made that call for a reason.

Wishing England well, were great yesterday. Can't compare with previous tournaments yet however. u want to avoid Colombia in last 16 I think, some quality and danger in that side (even if they struggled in EPL), more than Japan or Senegal.

Pep spend £50mil on Bernardo Silva last summer who was reported to be going to play instead of Sterling but Sterling kept his place because he produced in that team - he seemed confident and played well , the manager seemed to get the best out of him and the fans seemed to support him. Maybe it’s because of things that have happened but Sterling will always have his critics regardless of what he does

As for England up until now the hype has been tempered very well with everyone’s feet on the ground but you see it’s going back to the normal levels - they played very well and whilst it’s onlt Panama and Tunisia other big teams have struggled. England do have a chance to gonfar in the Comp

 

[User62651]

Pep spend £50mil on Bernardo Silva last summer who was reported to be going to play instead of Sterling but Sterling kept his place because he produced in that team - he seemed confident and played well , the manager seemed to get the best out of him and the fans seemed to support him. Maybe it’s because of things that have happened but Sterling will always have his critics regardless of what he does

As for England up until now the hype has been tempered very well with everyone’s feet on the ground but you see it’s going back to the normal levels - they played very well and whilst it’s onlt Panama and Tunisia other big teams have struggled. England do have a chance to go far in the Comp

Agreed.
Looks like the best chance in a while.
If I was a gambling man I'd still be looking at Spain as winners. They just have that mix of doggedness, nous, experience and quality in all positions so that opponents just wont get the ball enough. Not every team has a Ronaldo to counter that.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I don’t think anyone, especially on here, is getting carried away with England, just enjoying a far better start than we’ve had in comps over the last 20 odd years, but in all fairness we should at least be getting the same hype as Belgium as some in the media are talking them up after playing the same opposition.

As for our defence, haven’t Stones and Walker come off the same season with the same team

I don’t care if Southgate continues with Sterling, he knows best.

 

[Crazyface]

Stirling is not scoring goals but he's doing everything else ok. It's not all about blood and thunder. He's got twinkly feet. :thup:

 

[Crazyface]

Also that free kick routine. Do you think it was after Young's effort and realising we don't have a player that has the free kick skill so we have worked out a team effort. Good wasn't it? Let's hope we've got a few more tricks. Keeps other teams guessing.

 

[Hobbit]

I don’t think anyone, especially on here, is getting carried away with England, just enjoying a far better start than we’ve had in comps over the last 20 odd years, but in all fairness we should at least be getting the same hype as Belgium as some in the media are talking them up after playing the same opposition.

As for our defence, haven’t Stones and Walker come off the same season with the same team

I don’t care if Southgate continues with Sterling, he knows best.

You won’t care if he continues with Walker then.

Belgium; marginally better than England because of 2 players. De Brunye and Hazard. Lukaku on a par with Kane, and the same across the rest of the team.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Happy for the 11 Southgate picks, the difference is the way people react to different players making mistakes, Walker’s was a schoolboy error that is highlighted, the Panama error was communication, don’t expect anyone to be dropped for one error, Sterling highlighted after his miss/keeper save.

 

[Orikoru]

Walker has always had brain farts. I don't think he ever won't have them. But he is at centre back for his pace and that's it really. When we get hit on the break, and Hazard/Griezmann/whoever we're playing is racing through on goal, the only player in our team likely to catch them is Walker. That's why he's at the back.

 

[Hobbit]

Walker has always had brain farts. I don't think he ever won't have them. But he is at centre back for his pace and that's it really. When we get hit on the break, and Hazard/Griezmann/whoever we're playing is racing through on goal, the only player in our team likely to catch them is Walker. That's why he's at the back.

And that’s why he was in the right place when Panama made a break early on and put a cross in from the right, which Walker cleared.

 

[Orikoru]

And that’s why he was in the right place when Panama made a break early on and put a cross in from the right, which Walker cleared.

Yeah, he might make a crucial clearance, or give away a penalty, but either way at least he'll be there. :thup:

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Yeah, he might make a crucial clearance, or give away a penalty, but either way at least he'll be there. :thup:

Brillant, so it’s ok to risk a defender making a mistake, but not Sterling.
I agree he needs a goal, but at least he’s there in the positions.
Genuine question, What did Kane do outside of what Tashy’s lad said, score the worst world cup hat trick ever?
We can’t rely on that every game!
Surely we expect more than penalties and flukes?
Not having a dig at Kane, him and Sterling is our best option up front imo.

 

[Hobbit]

Brillant, so it’s ok to risk a defender making a mistake, but not Sterling.
I agree he needs a goal, but at least he’s there in the positions.
Genuine question, What did Kane do outside of what Tashy’s lad said, score the worst world cup hat trick ever?
We can’t rely on that every game!
Surely we expect more than penalties and flukes?
Not having a dig at Kane, him and Sterling is our best option up front imo.

Kane's mobility is excellent, pulling defenders all over the place. His hold up play is excellent, and he gets goals. Why are we even having to debate whether or not Kane should be there?

You feel Sterling is worth his place. Fine. I think it should be Vardy. I feel that if we are going to play as narrow as we do, with overlapping full backs, Sterling doesn't fit, as there isn't the room for him to operate in, and he definitely isn't a number10, which Vardy is. And his form suggests he isn't going to score. Southgate wants to use Sterling. Fine. I'll back his choice because he's the expert, but I don't agree with it.

 

[Orikoru]

Brillant, so it’s ok to risk a defender making a mistake, but not Sterling.
I agree he needs a goal, but at least he’s there in the positions.
Genuine question, What did Kane do outside of what Tashy’s lad said, score the worst world cup hat trick ever?
We can’t rely on that every game!
Surely we expect more than penalties and flukes?
Not having a dig at Kane, him and Sterling is our best option up front imo.

Walker - it's not a risk because there is no better alternative to play there. He wants a defender with pace, that's Walker. Our other centre backs all have mistakes in them as well, but they don't have half of Walker's pace to go with it.

In Sterling's case we do have other options. Rashford, Vardy. So it's not the same. But I think you knew that, you just like to play Devil's Advocate every single time you post.

Yeah what does Kane do despite repeatedly scoring goals all the time. Rubbish.

 

[Rlburnside]

Let’s be realistic we played well against two very poor teams but it’s been refreshing to see England play attractive football.

The real test will be when we play Belgium and the better teams ,and over the first two games Sterling has been average at best and we will need better from him if he continues to get picked.

I hope he drops/rests Sterling ,and Rashford gets a game against Belgium and we will see what he brings to the team.

 

[Kellfire]

Walker - it's not a risk because there is no better alternative to play there. He wants a defender with pace, that's Walker. Our other centre backs all have mistakes in them as well, but they don't have half of Walker's pace to go with it.

In Sterling's case we do have other options. Rashford, Vardy. So it's not the same. But I think you knew that, you just like to play Devil's Advocate every single time you post.

Yeah what does Kane do despite repeatedly scoring goals all the time. Rubbish.

You could play Stones on the right of a back three, he has enough pace to not be badly exposed. Then it's Cahill or Jones in the middle. Neither exactly scream world class but they're probably the best two centre backs in terms of pure defensive ability.